How to Protect Customer Data from Breaches
- Neil Hare-Brown
- Jun 12, 2025
- 3 min read
Customer data is one of the most valuable assets your business holds - and one of the most attractive targets for cybercriminals.
From proprietary works to intellectual property, and from email addresses and phone numbers to payment details and personal records, any breach of this data can lead to regulatory fines, reputational damage, and lost trust.
The good news? With the right controls and habits in place, you can significantly reduce your risk. This guide covers practical, proven steps to help protect your customers’ information, and your business.
1. Know What Data You’re Storing (and Where)
You can’t protect what you can’t see. However, your data is likely the most valuable asset of your business.
Start by:
Enacting an Information Governance (IG) framework
Identifying what customer data you collect and cataloguing it's various purposes
Determining where the various data is stored (cloud platforms, spreadsheets, internal systems)
Assigning Data Owners - managers in your organisation - who broadly determine access rules
Data Owners should also designate how long data is retained - according to legal regulations
Map out the full lifecycle of customer data - from collection and use to storage and deletion - to spot where you may be exposed.
Contact STORM for guidance on implementing your IG framework.
2. Limit Access to What’s Necessary
The more people and systems that can access sensitive data, the higher the risk of a breach.
Apply the principle of least privilege - only give access to those who genuinely need it according to the requirements of Data Owners
Segment access based on roles (e.g. support, finance, marketing)
Review access regularly and remove outdated or inactive accounts
Use identity and access management (IAM) tools to make this process efficient and auditable.
3. Encrypt Data in Transit and at Rest
Encryption adds a strong layer of protection in case your systems are ever compromised.
Use HTTPS and secure VPNs for all data in transit
Encrypt customer databases, backups, and storage volumes
Ensure encryption keys are stored securely and managed properly
Modern cloud services offer built-in encryption, but it’s up to you to make sure it’s enabled and configured correctly.
4. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Weak or reused passwords are one of the most common ways attackers access customer data. MFA drastically reduces this risk.
Enable MFA for:
All admin and staff accounts
Any third-party systems with customer access
Remote access and cloud tools
It’s simple, free in most systems, and makes a huge difference.
5. Train Your Team to Spot Threats
Most data breaches begin with human error — clicking a phishing link, downloading malware, or mishandling information.
Regular training can prevent this:
Run phishing awareness sessions
Teach staff how to handle data securely
Provide a clear reporting process for suspicious emails or activity
Reinforce that security is everyone’s responsibility
6. Keep Software and Systems Up to Date
Unpatched software is a major attack vector.
Apply updates to operating systems, browsers, plugins, and apps promptly
Enable automatic updates where possible
Use endpoint protection tools that monitor for vulnerabilities
Consider regular vulnerability scans and penetration testing for deeper insights.
7. Secure Third-Party Integrations and Vendors
If your systems connect to other platforms - CRMs, payment processors, customer service tools - you share responsibility for data protection.
Assess the security posture of third-party providers
Check contracts include data protection clauses
Monitor their performance and any changes to access or functionality
A breach at one of your vendors can still affect your customers.
8. Prepare for the Worst with an Incident Response Plan
Even with strong defences, incidents can happen. Having a clear plan helps you act fast and avoid chaos.
Include in your plan:
Who takes the lead during a breach
How to isolate affected systems
How and when to notify customers and regulators (e.g. ICO in the UK)
Communication templates and legal input
Recovery and root cause analysis processes
STORM Guidance can help develop or test your plan.
How STORM Guidance Can Help
✔ Data protection audits and risk assessments
✔ Security awareness training for teams
✔ Cybersecurity controls and encryption strategy
✔ Incident response planning and breach simulation
✔ Regulatory guidance (GDPR, ICO reporting, etc.)
Protecting Customer Data Builds Trust and Resilience
Keeping customer data safe isn’t just about compliance, it’s about trust.
By putting strong protections in place, you reduce your risk of a breach and show your customers you take their privacy seriously.
STORM Guidance is here to help you stay secure, compliant, and prepared - every step of the way.
